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We asked if this meant they were a fire hazard and he replied: “Yes.”

Fact has seized thousands of boxes since 2015.

Because the boxes are sold illegally, there is no regulatory body checking to make sure they are safe for public consumption.

Fact said it was not clear how many boxes may be a fire risk and that more tests need to be done.

There’s been much debate over whether using a Kodi box is legal or not.

Kodi software is not illegal, nor is the box which people connect to their TV.

But accessing streams to pirated material is, the courts have ruled.

Those selling “fully loaded Kodi boxes” which come with pre-installed apps to watch these streams face up to ten years in jail.

Media publishers like Netflix, Sky, BT Sport and major film distributors are trying to crack down on the piracy industry.

What is a 'Kodi box'?

Kodi is a piece of software that pulls lots of different entertainment channels together, like Netflix and iPlayer.

This allows you to watch online services on your TV.

It can be installed on TV boxes which you connect to your telly using an HDMI cable.

The box, and the software are not illegal. But it has a library which allows you to browse pirated TV, films and sports, which have been illegally obtained.

Anyone selling a box with the intention for it to be used in this way will be seen as infringing copyright.

While officials aren’t specifically targeting the average Brit, Fact said it’s a matter of time before they are caught in the crossfire as the crackdown on people selling “fully loaded” Kodi boxes online continues.

That’s because raids on sellers might lead police to its customers, who leave a digital trail if they have bought them through eBay or on Amazon.

This year sentences for people infringing copyright – and those making money from it (including businesses who advertise on streaming sites and website and hardware sellers which sell access to pirated material like sports and box office films) – were upped.

They now face up to ten years in jail – but those who buy boxes could face a judge in the future, Sharp revealed.

He warned: “This won’t affect the everyday person. But someone caught with a lot of material could still be affected, although it might be a very short sentence or a suspended one.”

The future of Kodi boxes is uncertain as more-and-more streaming services and add-ons disappear – making it more difficult to find shows and films online.

Just this week a major online library – which lets Brits stream pay-per-view sport and box office films for free – vanished from the web in the middle of a lawsuit.

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